Words: 28 (9×9)
Average Length: 5.07
I’d been saving 11A and 21A for a full-sized themed puzzle but couldn’t come up with other good themers, so here they are in a large mini or small midi, depending on your definitions.
Words: 23 (9×8)
Average Length: 4.87
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: this is by far the ugliest grid I’ve ever designed. Alas, after far too much time trying to fit what I wanted into a symmetrical, esthetically pleasing mini-midi grid, I gave up and settled for what you see.
Having said that, I hope you enjoy solving the clues, just like 9 Across and 3 Down. And if crime fiction is your thing, I can’t recommend Ian Rankin’s Rebus series highly enough. He just released the 25th book in the series, and they’re all terrific.
Words: 76
Average Length: 4.74
Here’s a mind-expanding puzzle, including a little dirt on an ancient Roman poet, some Yiddish, Weird Al, and – oh yeah – a potential acid trip.
I’m posting this a day early because I’m getting on a cruise ship this afternoon and have no idea what the Internet access will be like.
If anyone’s interested, I’m on yet another trip – so far I’ve visited Monaco and Èze (France); the links are to write-ups on my PuffinlessTravel blog.
Words: 10 (5×5)
Average Length: 5.00
Way back in high school, I used to go bowling every weekend, reaching a greater level of success than in any other sport (it’s a low hurdle indeed). I had my share of 1 Acrosses, but got pretty good at converting the smaller ones. Difficulty-wise, I’d put today’s puzzle in the category of knocking down the 10-pin for a spare: quite doable but not a slam dunk, to mix sporting metaphors. (Dunking a bowling ball is not recommended.)
Here’s a different kind of mini for you. I think it should play on the easy side.
As sometimes happens, the Daily Crossword Links email missed the puzzle I posted Sunday (Themeless 87). Here’s a link to that puzzle if you’d like to solve it (and I sure hope you will!).
Words: 76
Average Length: 4.71
Word ladder puzzles have been around forever, but somehow, this is the first one I’ve ever constructed. It’s also a pangram, with help from 9 Down and 21 Across. Enjoy!
Words: 18 (7×7)
Average Length: 5.00
Once I had 1 and 16 Across in place, the rest of the puzzle (including the title) came readily. 14 Down is the type of junk fill I try to avoid, but I figured I’d own it here by tying it to the photo. If you’re a train enthusiast, a Thomas the Tank Engine fan (or parent thereof), or just love riding in comfort through beautiful scenery, the Isle of Man is fantastic. It’s an easy hop from Ireland, England, and Scotland and worth spending a couple of days. Here are two posts (1 and 2) I wrote about a weekend visit.
Words: 18
Average Length: 5.00
1 Across was the seed. The idea behind it is that you open your mind to daily moments of peace, calm, amusement, wonder – whatever makes you feel gratitude. It’s a simple yet effective attitude adjustment, blunting the effect of “triggers,” calming stress, and promoting happiness. And the more I practice it, the easier it gets to recognize and assimilate these joyful moments.
I’ll give you an example: a couple of days ago, I was walking one of our dogs. In itself, this is a source of 1 Across if I focus on him exploring the world instead of thinking about the things I have to do. We passed a house where young kids were shrieking with delight while kicking a ball around the backyard. I couldn’t see the kids, but the enchantment of their play wove a blanket of bliss that warmed me for hours. Try, it, you’ll like it!
Oh yeah, like the title says, “Tank Yu” for solving – and for putting up with my digressions!
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